FSF statement on Hull City AFC ballot

The Football Supporters' Federation said: “Many Hull City fans have already contacted us to express their concerns in relation to the flawed ballot.

“It wasn’t neutrally worded and was a clear attempt to create a ‘yes’ vote. Even then, only one in six season ticket holders has voted yes.

“Fans are also concerned that they were required to identify themselves when voting, hardly surprising since the chairman has been openly hostile to those who disagree with him.

“The club might be allocating FA Cup final tickets soon and some fans who voted ‘no’ fear they’ll have a black mark against their name during the application process. It might even have discouraged some from voting ‘no’ in the first place.

“The ballot was not supervised by an accredited, neutral agency such as the Electoral Reform Society. Did multiple voting occur? Some fans reported IT problems while another fan was told ballot boxes were removed from the stadium early because of a rugby game.

“Hull City’s ballot does not stand up to scrutiny and we have already written to the FA arguing exactly that. The FA’s National Council will look at this issue on Wednesday – they should back their Membership Committee’s recommendation and reject the name change.”